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| Established | 1988 (1988) |
|---|---|
| Location | Karaite Street Jewish Quarter Jerusalem |
| Coordinates | 31°46′30.9″N35°13′55.5″E / 31.775250°N 35.232083°E /31.775250; 35.232083 |
| Type | Archaeological museum |
| Key holdings | Priestly mansions of the Late Second Temple period |
| Public transit access | Western Wall |
| Website | travelrova |
TheHerodian Quarter –Wohl Archaeological Museum is an undergroundarchaeological site and museum situated in theJewish Quarter of theOld City of Jerusalem.[1] It exhibits lavish residencies that reflect the high standard of living among the affluent inhabitants of Jerusalem's Upper City during the lateSecond Temple Period and up until thecity's destruction in 70 CE.[2]
Among the exhibits are five residential buildings dating back to theHerodian period, believed to have been inhabited bypriestly families,[3] complete withritual baths, bathhouses, and household items. The wall paintings and architectural elements are designed according toHellenistic andRoman styles. The "Palatial Mansion" stands out with its multi-level layout surrounding a central courtyard. This grand residence includes an ornate reception area decorated in a style found inPompeii, also featuring remnants of collapsed wooden beams, evidence of the city's destruction.[4]
Numerous smaller discoveries were unearthed, withstone vessels standing out due to their immunity to ritual impurity underJewish law. Luxurious imported items liketerra sigillata ware andPhoenician goods, such as cosmetics and perfumes, were also uncovered. In instances where significant artifacts, like themenorah graffiti and a unique glass vessel by theSidonian artist Aniyon, were relocated to theIsrael Museum, replicas and photographs are showcased.[4]
Discovered during the post-Six-Day War reconstruction of the Jewish Quarter, these ancient mansions were excavated by an archaeological team led byNahman Avigad between 1969 and 1983. The museum, located beneath theYeshivat HaKotel, was opened to visitors in 1988 after extensive restoration work.[4] In 2024, the museum was reopened after two years of renovation works.[5]
Within the museum's confines lie the remnants of six residences dating back to theHerodian period.[6] Each residence was structured around a central courtyard and likely spanned two, if not three, levels.[6]
These houses had several baths, both for ritual and everyday use. Due to the absence of other water sources, rainwater was collected and stored incisterns.[6]
The "Palatial Mansion", situated on the eastern slope of the Upper City near the Temple Mount's southwest corner,[7] was an expansive structure, covering an area of 600 square meters.[8] Its proximity to theRoyal Bridge facilitated direct access to theTemple Mount for priests, eliminating the need of first descending into theTyropoeon Valley and then ascending again onto the Temple Mount.[7]
The Palatial Mansion comprised two levels. The ground floor served as living quarters, while the lower level housed storerooms and water installations.[7] Fourmiqva'ot, Jewishritual baths, were discovered within the mansion.[8][7]
Accessible from the west, the entrance led to a vestibule featuring a well-preserved mosaic floor with a central rosette pattern. From there, visitors could explore the fresco room to the right or the opulent Reception Room to the left, adorned withstuccoed walls and ceiling,[7] an interior design for which there is comparative material inPompeii, but without any human or animal figures.[4] The entrance to the reception hall displays charred wooden beams of the roof, which collapsed onto the mosaic floor, destroyed in fierce fire at the time of destruction.[4]
The courtyard led to the rooms of the eastern wing, including a preserved bathroom with a simplemosaic floor,[7] also devoid of figures,[4] likely preceding access to two hiddenmikvehs (ritual baths). A staircase in the courtyard's northern side descended to the basement level, featuring a vestibule granting access to a large vaulted storeroom and two additional mikvehs. One mikveh boasted a double doorway and mosaic-paved entrance porch, indicative of its grandeur.[7]
The southern building features rooms encircling a central courtyard and a basement beneath, mirroring the architectural layout of the Palatial Mansion. Before entering the ritual baths, individuals would wash their feet in the pierced stone basins found here.[6]
The southern building has been preserved in its discovered state.[6]
One of the most notable discoveries in the Herodian Quarter was a graffiti depiction of aseven-armed menorah, composed of two sections each about 25 × 15 cm. The menorah's shape is largely intact, with theshowbread table visible to the right, positioned beneath the incense altar.[9] This discovery marks the first instance of a menorah featuring decorated branches and what appear to be light fixtures with lights on.[10]
The graffiti, incised onstucco, depicts the Temple menorah during the period when it was still in theTemple.[10] It seems to have been crafted by a local priest who had knowledge of the Temple artifacts.[9]
The menorah graffiti is today on display in theIsrael Museum, Jerusalem.[4][9]
The Herodian Quarter was opened to visitors duringSukkot of 1988 following extensive restoration work.[4][11]
In 2024, the museum reopened after a two-year renovation costing around 5 million dollars. The project included the meticulous reconstruction of remaining home structures and the restoration of mosaics. An innovative lighting and audio system was installed, along with immersive multimedia displays featuring holograms and animations. Visitors can experience a simulated walk towards theTemple Mount from the perspective of historical residents, with suspended glass walkways providing close access to the ancient homes without compromising the archaeological remains.[5][12]
The museum is located at 1, HaKara'im Street ('Street of theKaraites') in the Old City.[1][6] It is part of the combined ticket for the Jewish Quarter, including sites such as the Burnt House,the Temple Institute, and theHurva Synagogue.[1]
That testimony is backed up impressively by modern excavations in the Herodian quarter of Jerusalem, what Josephus calls the Upper City.
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)31°46′31″N35°13′56″E / 31.77519°N 35.23214°E /31.77519; 35.23214
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